Characterisation and on-site monitoring of odorous organic compounds in the environment of a landfill site

This study presents an analytical procedure developed in order to monitor s pecific volatile organic compounds (VOC) causing olfactive nuisances in the environment of a landfill site. 1-Methyl-4-iso-propenyl-1-cyclohexene (lim onene) and 1-methyl-4-iso-propyl-benzene (p-cymene) detected by GC-MS in th e landfill gas emissions were considered as tracers of the malodour. An on- line analytical system including a gas chromatograph coupled with a photoio nisation detector was installed "on-site" to detect these markers at mu g/m (3) level in the atmosphere after pumping up the ambient air at close inter vals. Quantitative results of the semi-continuous monitoring were strongly correlated with olfactive nuisances reported in the vicinity of the source. The chemical characterisation of odorous organic tracers and their "on-sit e" monitoring was shown to be a useful technique to detect malfunctions in the bio-gas collecting facilities and to prevent air pollution and olfactiv e nuisances in the environment.